{"schema_version":"bookimed.page-context.v1","id":"heart-rhythm-surgery-surgeons","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-rhythm-surgery-surgeons/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-rhythm-surgery-surgeons.json","index_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/index.json","full_dataset_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/content.json","content_revision":"source-driven-rankings-20261008","date_modified":"2026-10-08","language":"en","kind":"specialist-directory","title":"Heart rhythm surgery specialists","summary":"Heart rhythm surgery specialists differ in the anatomy they treat, techniques they offer and evidence they publish. Rhythm surgery and stroke-prevention procedures have different purposes. Maze or surgical ablation targets abnormal electrical pathways; left-atrial-appendage closure targets a source of blood clots.","research_credit":{"name":"Yevhenii Kozlov","role":"Co-Founder of Bookimed","url":"https://us-uk.bookimed.com/ceo/kozlov/","contribution":"Research personally prepared and reviewed","assistance":"AI tools assisted source research."},"editorial_scope":"Source-based patient information; an individual treatment plan requires clinical review.","research_method":"How this guide is researched and compared Research project led by Yevhenii Kozlov . We link clinical guidance, primary studies and named hospital or offer sources beside the relevant statements. Comparisons distinguish individual operators from programme results and preserve the study population, follow-up and limitations. Prices are dated examples with their stated scope. Research and editorial preparation are separate from clinical review; no named clinician has medically reviewed this edition. Bookimed provides care coordination. Partner and reference programmes are identified from their sources; paid ordering is not used in our published-cohort comparison. Read the editorial policy .","key_takeaways":[{"label":"3 named specialists","text":"A. Marc Gillinov, Husam H. Balkhy, Ali J. Khiabani.","sources":["cleveland-profile","pd-adult-balkhy-official","SP10"]},{"label":"Appendage closure adds stroke protection","text":"LAAOS III found benefit in patients with AF and elevated stroke risk already having cardiac surgery, on top of usual care including anticoagulation.","sources":["C18"]},{"label":"A pacemaker has a different job","text":"Rate support or protection against dangerous rhythms is distinct from ablation or appendage closure.","sources":["D01"]}],"benefits":[{"text":"An already planned operation can provide an opportunity to address AF and stroke risk in the same treatment course.","sources":["C17","C18"]}],"limitations":[{"text":"Appendage closure does not automatically replace blood thinners, and freedom from AF depends on the rhythm type, treatment and monitoring used.","sources":["C18"]}],"sections":[{"id":"specialists","title":"Heart rhythm surgery specialists","text":"Heart rhythm surgery specialists Diagnosis or procedure Doctor, clinic or country 3 specialists shown How we find specialists and where coverage is still growing → Portrait source ↗ Cleveland, Ohio · United States cardiac surgeon A. Marc Gillinov → Gillinov’s practice combines surgical atrial-fibrillation treatment and mitral repair, relevant when AF and valve leakage coexist. Cleveland Clinic → Sources: A. Marc Gillinov, MD | Cleveland Clinic View expertise and research → Portrait source ↗ Chicago · United States cardiac surgeon Husam H. Balkhy → Balkhy’s UChicago practice includes robotic surgery for atrial fibrillation. UChicago Medicine → Sources: Husam H. Balkhy, MD View expertise and research → AJ St. Louis, Missouri · United States cardiac surgeon Ali J. Khiabani → Khiabani’s current WashU profile includes minimally invasive AF surgery and valve surgery. WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital → Sources: Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile · The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation. View expertise and research → No specialist in this selection matches both filters. Broaden the search to see the available specialists.","links":[{"label":"How we find specialists and where coverage is still growing →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/specialist-research-method/"},{"label":"Portrait source ↗","url":"https://providers.clevelandclinic.org/provider/a-marc-gillinov/4268438"},{"label":"A. Marc Gillinov →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-marc-gillinov/"},{"label":"Cleveland Clinic →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-cleveland/"},{"label":"A. Marc Gillinov, MD | Cleveland Clinic","url":"https://providers.clevelandclinic.org/provider/a-marc-gillinov/4268438"},{"label":"View expertise and research →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-marc-gillinov/"},{"label":"Portrait source ↗","url":"https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/husam-h-balkhy"},{"label":"Husam H. Balkhy →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-husam-balkhy/"},{"label":"UChicago Medicine →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-uchicago/"},{"label":"Husam H. Balkhy, MD","url":"https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/husam-h-balkhy"},{"label":"View expertise and research →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-husam-balkhy/"},{"label":"Ali J. Khiabani →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-ali-khiabani/"},{"label":"WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish/"},{"label":"Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile","url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/"},{"label":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/"},{"label":"View expertise and research →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-ali-khiabani/"}]},{"id":"benefit-balance","title":"Clinical benefits and trade-offs","text":"Clinical benefits and trade-offs Potential advantages An already planned operation can provide an opportunity to address AF and stroke risk in the same treatment course. Sources: STS: AF during cardiac surgery · LAAOS III trial · ACC Trade-offs and limits Appendage closure does not automatically replace blood thinners, and freedom from AF depends on the rhythm type, treatment and monitoring used. Sources: LAAOS III trial · ACC","links":[{"label":"STS: AF during cardiac surgery","url":"https://www.sts.org/sites/default/files/Database%20Webinar%20Handouts/ACSD%20Monthly%20Webinar%2005062026.pdf"},{"label":"LAAOS III trial · ACC","url":"https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Clinical-Trials/2021/05/14/01/52/LAAOS-III"},{"label":"LAAOS III trial · ACC","url":"https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Clinical-Trials/2021/05/14/01/52/LAAOS-III"}]},{"id":"selection","title":"How these specialists were selected","text":"How these specialists were selected This list contains 3 specialists with a documented heart rhythm surgery focus in our source-linked directory. It is an editorial shortlist, not a census or an outcome ranking. Institutional expertise and published study results are identified separately. An individual doctor may participate in several treatment pathways; a study of one procedure does not establish outcomes for another. How we find specialists ↗ Rhythm & Maze surgery ↗","links":[{"label":"How we find specialists ↗","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/specialist-research-method/"},{"label":"Rhythm & Maze surgery ↗","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-rhythm-surgery/"}]}],"introduction":"Heart surgery guide / Specialists / Heart rhythm surgery specialists Heart rhythm surgery specialists · Decision guide Heart rhythm surgery specialists 3 specialists with linked profiles, clinical focus and attributable evidence. Research by Yevhenii Kozlov · Co-Founder of Bookimed Updated 8 October 2026 Sources linked throughout At a glance Heart rhythm surgery specialists differ in the anatomy they treat, techniques they offer and evidence they publish. Rhythm surgery and stroke-prevention procedures have different purposes. Maze or surgical ablation targets abnormal electrical pathways; left-atrial-appendage closure targets a source of blood clots. 3 named specialists A. Marc Gillinov, Husam H. Balkhy, Ali J. Khiabani. Sources: A. Marc Gillinov, MD | Cleveland Clinic · Husam H. Balkhy, MD · Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile Appendage closure adds stroke protection LAAOS III found benefit in patients with AF and elevated stroke risk already having cardiac surgery, on top of usual care including anticoagulation. Sources: LAAOS III trial · ACC A pacemaker has a different job Rate support or protection against dangerous rhythms is distinct from ablation or appendage closure. Sources: Conditions treated by heart surgery","related_documents":[{"id":"heart-surgery","title":"Heart surgery abroad: treatments, clinics and costs","kind":"home","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-surgery.json"},{"id":"surgeons","title":"Find cardiac surgeons and heart specialists by procedure","kind":"surgeons","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/surgeons/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/surgeons.json"},{"id":"heart-rhythm-surgery","title":"Atrial fibrillation surgery: Maze, ablation and appendage closure","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-rhythm-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-rhythm-surgery.json"},{"id":"doctor-marc-gillinov","title":"A. Marc Gillinov: Mitral repair specialist","kind":"doctor-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-marc-gillinov/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/doctor-marc-gillinov.json"},{"id":"doctor-husam-balkhy","title":"Husam H. Balkhy: robotic coronary bypass surgery","kind":"doctor-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-husam-balkhy/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/doctor-husam-balkhy.json"},{"id":"doctor-ali-khiabani","title":"Ali J. Khiabani: Maze and surgical atrial fibrillation treatment","kind":"doctor-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-ali-khiabani/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/doctor-ali-khiabani.json"},{"id":"clinic-cleveland","title":"Cleveland Clinic: heart surgery expertise","kind":"clinic-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-cleveland/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/clinic-cleveland.json"},{"id":"clinic-uchicago","title":"UChicago Medicine: heart surgery expertise","kind":"clinic-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-uchicago/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/clinic-uchicago.json"},{"id":"clinic-washu-barnes-jewish","title":"WashU Medicine / Barnes-Jewish Hospital: heart surgery expertise","kind":"clinic-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/clinic-washu-barnes-jewish.json"},{"id":"specialist-research-method","title":"How we research heart surgery specialists","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/specialist-research-method/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/specialist-research-method.json"}],"sources":{"C17":{"id":"C17","title":"STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Monthly Webinar, May 6, 2026 — Treatment of Preoperative Atrial Fibrillation","url":"https://www.sts.org/sites/default/files/Database%20Webinar%20Handouts/ACSD%20Monthly%20Webinar%2005062026.pdf","publisher":"Society of Thoracic Surgeons","published":"2026-05-06","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"Official society teaching slides reproducing guideline recommendations"},"C18":{"id":"C18","title":"Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Study III — LAAOS III","url":"https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Clinical-Trials/2021/05/14/01/52/LAAOS-III","publisher":"American College of Cardiology","published":"2023-10-19 (updated)","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"Professional society summary of randomized trial"},"cleveland-profile":{"id":"cleveland-profile","title":"A. Marc Gillinov, MD | Cleveland Clinic","url":"https://providers.clevelandclinic.org/provider/a-marc-gillinov/4268438","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"official_hospital"},"D01":{"id":"D01","title":"Conditions treated by heart surgery","url":"https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-surgery/conditions","publisher":"NHLBI","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"Official medical information or guideline"},"cabg-balkhy-current":{"id":"cabg-balkhy-current","title":"Husam H. Balkhy, MD — UChicago Medicine","url":"https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/husam-h-balkhy","source_kind":"official_current_hospital_profile","body_access":"search_returned_substantial_page_body_read","support_location":"Title, current role, About, Specialties and Areas of Expertise","short_excerpt":"Director, Robotic and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"official_current_hospital_profile"},"pd-adult-balkhy-official":{"title":"Husam H. Balkhy, MD","publisher":"UChicago Medicine","url":"https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/husam-h-balkhy","read_at":"2026-10-08","kind":"official provider or programme page","support":"Current professor/director role; TECAB, robotic mitral and atrial fibrillation surgery.","limitations":"An institutional listing supports current role and stated clinical scope; it does not establish the next appointment, operating allocation or individual risk-adjusted results.","body_file":"outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/adult/sources/balkhy-official.txt"},"SP10":{"title":"Ali J. Khiabani, MD, MHA — physician profile","publisher":"WashU Medicine","url":"https://physicians.wustl.edu/people/ali-j-khiabani-md-mha/","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/recovered-official-web.json","supports":"Current assistant professor, cardiac surgeon at Barnes-Jewish, minimally invasive AF/valve surgery; research in arrhythmia surgery and outcomes; 2024 cardiothoracic fellowship.","limitations":"Direct HTTP returned 403; complete relevant body recovered with web reader. No personal Maze annual volume or long-term rate is reported."},"SP19":{"title":"The long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure for atrial fibrillation.","publisher":"The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32563577/","read_at":"2026-10-08","published_at":"2020-05-05","doi":"10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.04.100","pmid":"32563577","source_kind":"primary-research-abstract","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/pmid-32563577.json","supports":"WashU Cox-Maze IV programme 853 operations during 2003–2018; Khiabani first author; rhythm durability and recurrence predictors.","limitations":"Historical programme cohort, not operations by Khiabani. Follow-up denominators shrink; no randomized comparison with catheter ablation; long-term freedom-from-arrhythmia is not cure."}}}